The Devil of St. Marien-Kirche
Sculpture in
The story of the devil at St. Marien-Kirche is one of Lübeck’s most famous local legends, and it adds a charming layer of folklore to the church’s otherwise grand and solemn presence. Outside the church, near the northern wall, there is a bronze statue of the devil—a small, crouching figure with horns, a tail, and a mischievous grin. This sculpture, created by artist Rolf Goerler in 1999, commemorates a medieval tale explaining how the devil was tricked into helping build the church.
According to the legend, when construction of St. Mary’s Church began in the 13th century, the devil mistook the project for a tavern or drinking hall, since it was so large and elaborate. Pleased with the idea of a place where people would sin and indulge, the devil decided to help speed up the construction. He is said to have carried heavy stones and assisted the workers in building the massive brick walls.
However, once the devil realized he had been fooled and that the building was actually a church, he became furious. He threatened to destroy the entire structure in revenge. To prevent this, the clever townspeople quickly promised to build a tavern nearby, just for him. Amused and satisfied by the compromise, the devil spared the church—and to this day, a tavern still operates close to St. Mary’s as part of the legend’s tradition.
The bronze statue of the devil today is a popular attraction. Many visitors stop to touch or sit beside the figure, and some even rub his knee for good luck. The statue’s friendly appearance and seated posture give it a humorous, almost endearing quality, making it a favorite photo spot for tourists and a symbol of Lübeck’s ability to blend history, legend, and charm.
In essence, the tale of the devil at St. Marien-Kirche is more than just folklore—it reflects the city’s storytelling culture and its long-standing blend of religion, superstition, and wit. It also helps humanize the grand Gothic architecture, reminding visitors that even the most majestic buildings can have playful legends hiding just outside their walls.
The The Devil of St. Marien-Kirche appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting !
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Nearby Attractions
- St. Mary’s Church (St. Marien-Kirche) (0.0) km
Church in Lübeck - Lübeck Town Hall (Lübecker Rathaus) (0.1) km
Town Hall in Lübeck - Lübeck’s Old Market Square (Marktplatz) (0.1) km
Market in Lübeck - Café Niederegger (0.1) km
Historic Building in Lübeck - St. Peter’s Church (St. Petri-Kirche) (0.2) km
Church in Lübeck - Salzspeicher (0.4) km
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City Gate in Lübeck - Schiffergesellschaft (0.4) km
Historic Building in Lübeck - Heiligen-Geist-Hospital (0.5) km
Historic Building in Lübeck - Crane Convent (“Kranen-Konvent”) (0.6) km
Historic Building in Lübeck
